Renault has taken its all electric ZOE hatchback and added some Formula E race-car knowhow, to create the striking ZOE e-sport concept. The battery-powered hot-hatch is driven by two electric motors delivering a total system output of almost 460bhp - launching it from rest to 62mph in just over 3-seconds. Aerodynamics additions include a flat undercarriage, a rear diffuser and a large carbon fibre tailgate spoiler.

In the latest round of Euro NCAP’s crash tests, Fiat’s 500 and Ford’s all-new Ka+ scored just three out of five stars apiece. After more than 10 years on the market, the 500 was recently facelifted, but this did little to improve safety, according to a Euro NCAP report which noted poor protection for the driver and rear seat passenger. Fast forward 10 years to Ford’s brand new Ka+, which was described as offering ‘mediocre safety performance’ - lacking the more sophisticated restraint systems offered by most of its rivals, including the Citroën C3 which scored higher marks in the same tests.

Euro NCAP is its marking 20th Anniversary with a crash test comparison of two family cars built two decades apart. A 1997 Rover 100 was tested alongside the latest Honda Jazz, displaying a marked difference in crashworthiness. The Rover, with no crumple zones or safety cell seems to just disintegrate while the Honda is clearly stronger and offers multiple air bags against the Rover’s one. Euro NCAP is confident that safety advances driven by rigorous testing have helped deliver a 63% reduction in the number of car occupants killed or seriously injured.

Kia’s new Rio has gone on sale, with prices starting at just under £12k. Larger than the outgoing model, the new Rio will be sold as a five-door only and promises improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions thanks to new high-tech engines. Regular trim levels are badged 1, 2 and 3 for simplicity, but from launch the range is topped by a limited-run, First Edition model, seen here in Blaze red which comes with 17-inch alloys, faux leather interior and a 6-speed manual gearbox, priced at £17,445 OTR.

Nissan has confirmed its all-new Micra will start from £11,995 OTR. From launch, the 5th generation hatchback will be available with a 0.9-litre turbocharged petrol engine or a 1.5-litre diesel, both delivering 90bhp. There will be five trim levels, and plenty of customisation options including personalisation packs, contrasting colours, 17” alloys and body decals. The range will top out at £17,295 for the Tekna model when sales kick off in 2017.

The Volkswagen Golf has been updated with a focus on digital technology, becoming the first compact car to feature gesture control. Exterior changes are subtle with redesigned bumpers and restyled headlights with LED daytime running lights, while on the inside there’s a completely new generation of infotainment systems. Powertrain revisions include a new 150 PS, 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine plus a power boost for the GTI model up to 245 PS, while a new 7-speed DSG transmission which will gradually replace the old 6-speed box. UK pricing and specification for the new VW Golf has yet to be announced.

The all-new Countryman is the biggest ever MINI. It features an extended wheelbase which creates more interior room and an extra 220 litres of boot space compared to the outgoing model. Power comes from a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines, while the hybrid model - MINI’s first ever - has a total system output of 224 bhp, a zero emissions range of up to 25 miles and purely electric top speed of 78mph. Prices have yet to be announced.

It isn't all Concepts and performance cars in Paris as many forthcoming production models were also on show. Kia revealed its all new fourth-generation Rio. With a ‘progressive’ new design and a longer wheelbase, Kia promises class-leading practicality and safety. Nissan’s all-new 5th generation Micra is aimed at the European market as opposed to the global design of its predecessor. It will come with a 0.9-litre petrol engine or a 1.5-litre diesel unit when it launches in March 2017. The new Audi RS 3 made its debut in saloon form. The RS 3’s transversely-mounted 2.5-litre TFSI engine delivers a 0-62 mph time of 4.1 seconds, and a top speed of 174mph. Hyundai pulled the covers off it all-new i30. Designed in Europe the i30 features a newly developed Cascading front grille, while power comes from a downsized engine line-up including an all-new 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

The new MINI John Cooper Works Clubman will debut at the Paris Motor Show next week. The latest member of the JCW family is powered by the same 231 bhp engine as the Hatch and Convertible models, for a 0-62 time of 6.3-seconds and a top speed of 148 mph, while returning 41.5mpg on the combined cycle. The JCW Clubman also features sports suspension, an uprated braking system and more aggressive front and rear styling. Orders books are open now, with prices starting at £29,345 on-the-road.

Hyundai has revealed its new i30, ahead of a Paris Motor Show debut. The new hatchback is powered by a choice of one diesel and three petrol engines - including a new 140 PS, 1.4 that debuts on a Hyundai for the first time. It also includes the brand’s new cascading grille while on the inside there is more active safety features than any other Hyundai. With a sporty design, the South Korean carmaker also confirmed the i30 will be the first model in its new high performance ’N’ sub-brand, joining the range in 2017.

Citroën has revealed a new CXPERIENCE concept ahead of its Paris Motor Show debut next month. The plug-in hybrid features a new body style and is powered by a petrol engine combined with an 80 kW electric motor, for a total power output of 300bhp. The low slung concept is only 1.37m tall and features an elegant ‘living room’ inspired interior accessed via rear-hinged doors. The concept’s front end includes an original light signature with a new take on the Citroën's layered headlight identity, while at the rear, a concave window improves aerodynamics.

Hyundai has facelifted its i10 for 2016. The first Hyundai on the road to sport the brands new signature Cascading front grille, the refreshed i10 also gets a new front bumper design, round LED day time running lights, while the rear features an evolved bumper design and round fog lamps - mirroring the new front end. On the inside, a fresh shade of red is joined by upgraded connectivity features, which have all been integrated into a new seven-inch touch screen. The refreshed Hyundai i10 will debut at the Paris Motor Show in October.

Hyundai has released a short teaser film featuring its new generation i30. Set to be fully revealed online next month, before debuting at the Paris Motor Show, the new i30 is designed, developed, and tested in Europe. Penned by Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer, it features flowing lines, a new Cascading grille and sculpted body. Hyundai also promises the new i30 will have an ‘efficient and dynamic’ engine line-up when it launches later in the year.

Citroën has unveiled its new C3 supermini. The brand new design features styling cues from the C4 Cactus including the Airbump door panels and slim day time running lights. Powered by a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines, the new C3 also features a camera behind the rear view mirror which captures images and video that can be instantly shared on social media. Citroën describes the new C3 as ‘highly customisable’ with a total of 36 possible colour combinations.

The BMW group has revealed a new ‘MINI Vision Next 100’ concept as part of its centenary celebrations. The Vision concept looks to a future where fully automated car-sharing will be available 24/7. Wrapped in a silver skin, like a blank canvas, the car displays different colour as well as personalised messages. On the inside, a new ‘Cooperizer’ centrally-positioned dial acts like the car’a brain, controlling personalised settings for each driver, and features an ‘Inspire Me’ button which checks downloaded user data for a perfectly personalised driving experience.

The Ford Fiesta is the UK’s best-selling car. That’s according to official figures released by the Society of Motoring, Manufacturing and Traders who revealed the new car market has grown by 2.5% in the last year. Ford’s Fiesta received 8,236 new car registrations this May - 2,507 sales, which is 1.3 percentage points ahead of its nearest rival. The new Fiesta with Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine offers fuel-efficiency of up to 65.7 mpg and costs from £10,345 OTR.

Volvo has unveiled two new small concept cars - the 40.1 and 40.2 - both built on a new compact platform. The SUV and hatchback mark the official launch of Volvo’s new small car strategy. The Swedish company plans to expand into the market for premium small cars, aiming to compete with its global competitors in the next four years. The concepts feature a bold exterior and interior design as well as ‘industry-leading’ connectivity and autonomous drive technologies, while the new range will also include electric and plug-in hybrid models.

Indian manufacturing giant Mahindra has entered the UK automotive market with its e2o electric car. Launched at London's Design Museum, the three-door hatchback has been created for urban commuting, and will be available in two trim levels. The city car includes 'connected’ features such as a smartphone app which allows you to control many of the cars functions remotely. With running costs from as low £10 a month for those travelling under 8,000 miles a year, prices for the e2o will start at £12,995 OTR.

Tesla has revealed its all-new electric car, the Model 3. The final step in Tesla’s master plan - a mass market, affordable car - the model 3 combines an all-electric real world driving range of at least 215 miles, with a 0-60 time of under 6 seconds. The Model 3 starts at $35 dollars in the US and will come with free access to Tesla’s Supercharging network as standard as well as Auto pilot hardware. First customer deliveries are set for 2017 and Tesla claims to have already taken over 250 thousand orders.